Mac the Naw: Tahoe Wildlife Care looking for fresh fish

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Hello fellow anglers, fishing in our local area has been great. Before we get to our local report, I would like to let you know about an organization in our area asking for public help - the Tahoe Wildlife Care facility, which is located at 1485 Cherry Hill Circle in South Lake Tahoe. They care for injured animals, as well as young animals that have lost their parents.

They have acquired three bear cubs that will be needing a diet change soon. They are asking for donations of fresh fish. On your next fishing adventure, if you have a couple trout you would like to go to a good cause, you can drop them off at the wildlife center seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are asking you do not clean the fish, as they need them whole for the nutritional value for the bears.

For more information about Tahoe Wildlife Care, what they do and how you can help, call them at 530-577-2273. Remember that the limit of trout you can keep in a day is five fish, with the exception of mackinaw (lake trout), which is two. This does not give anyone permission to exceed the daily bag limit allowed by California Department of Fish and Game or the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Now lets check out our local waters.

LAKE TAHOE: Mackinaw action has been very good for anglers trolling the north end of the lake in 100-175 feet of water. Many limits in the 1- to 9-pound class have been coming in. Anglers have been using flashers with a minnow right on the bottom. I have heard a couple reports of double hook ups. Best areas have been from the Tahoe City shelf to Dollar Point. I have not received any reports on top lining on the lake that were in a positive way. For more info call Blue Ribbon Charters at 530-544-6552.

SILVER LAKE: Action has been good for shore anglers as well as boaters. May be due to the recent plant of 1,500 pounds of 2- to 5-pound rainbows last Tuesday.

TROUT CREEK: UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER AND TAYLOR CREEK: All opened for fishing on July 1. Salmon eggs or worms are most productive. Black roostertail with a silver blade are also productive.

CAPLES LAKE: Fishing has been hot for the last week. In three days, I received more than 20 confirmed reports of anglers catching 1- to 4-pound rainbows. Here is a small list of some anglers: Brandon Rutshmann from Rocklin, Calif. caught two at 2 pounds on powerbait; Michael Fletcher and Chris Moline from Sacramento caught seven rainbows, 2 to 3 pounds with yellow powerbait on the dam and 2- to 3-pound browns trolling Emigrant Bay; my favorite was little Victoria Claas from Santa Clara caught a 3-pound rainbow while camping and fishing with her father; Tammy Flowers caught a 3-pound rainbow from Woods Creek area using worms and marsh mellows. I wonder if she is related, I do have Flowers in my family.

Not all anglers had great success. Judy Cothan from Danville caught a limit of trout while her husband got skunked. Anglers have been using yellow powerbait and night crawlers from the shore. Trollers have been using blue and silver kastmaster lures. Best areas have been at the spillway, dam or Woods Creek area.

The El Dorado Irrigation District planted 500 rainbow trout last Monday ranging from 2 to 6 pounds. The CDFG planted the lake on June 30 with 1,000 pounds of catchable rainbows. The Caples lake marina and store is open seven days a week for launching, boat rentals and for all the things you forgot to bring with you. For more information, call the Caples lake Resort at 209-258-8888.

WOODS LAKE: A small lake located about a mile north of Caples lake on Highway 88. Planted last week by CDFG. The lake has camping facilities and plenty of hiking trails.

BLUE LAKES: Fishing has picked up for rainbows in the 10- to 15-inch class - perfect pan size for camping. Best area has been near or on the dam using small spinner or powerbait. Both upper and lower lakes were planted by CDFG last week. Don't forget your bug spray, because the mosquitos are always biting.

BURNSIDE LAKE: Many fly anglers have been going to this little lake and having great success. Black gnat pattern have been working well. The CDFG also planted this lake last week.

INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR: When the wind is not blowing the fishing has been fair-to-good. Float tubers have been doing well on the west side of the dam or on the south end of the lake with a black or olive wooly bugger. Shore anglers have had best luck near the campground or the main dam. They have been using rainbow or yellow powerbait; inflated night crawlers have also been productive. Boaters have been trolling Thomas buoyant spoons right down the middle and picking up some good fish.

CARSON RIVERS, ALPINE COUNTY: Water level has dropped and the temperature has risen. A good combination for fishing the rivers. Salmon eggs or night crawlers have been most productive. Wilson Ornellas from Valley Springs, Calif. was using a combination of powerbait and a worm, and caught a good stringer of rainbows 3 to 4 pounds on the east fork. Also, Larry Fraser from Lathrop, Calif. caught five trout ranging 1 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds. The CDFG and Alpine County planted the river last week. As a reminder to those with mobility issues, there is handicap fishing access in Hope Valley at the intersection of Highway 88 and 89. For more information, call the Carson River Resort at 877-694-2229.

CARSON RIVER, DOUGLAS COUNTY: Fishing has been great from the broken dam down to the golf course. Many anglers have been using half of a night crawler and a couple split shots drifting through the deeper waters. For more information call the Anglers Edge at 775-782-4734. They offer fly fishing trips and classes in our local area.

TOPAZ LAKE: Chuck Fields reported that the fishing has been slow for shore anglers on both ends of the lake. The boaters have been trolling early before the jet skiers arrive. The have been trolling right down the middle of the lake, 20 feet down with flashers and a crawler. You have to work for them, but anglers have brought in a few. The lake level has dropped about 7 feet so far this year, but clarity is still good. For more information, call Topaz Landing at 775-266-3550.

NEVADA PLANTS FOR THIS LAST WEEK: Desert Creek in Lyon County, Truckee river in Washoe County, Carson River in Douglas County and Topaz Canal in Douglas County.

Good luck on your next fishing adventure. If you get a photo of your catch, send it to jproudman@tahoedailytribune.com. If you have any questions about our local fishing world, call the Naw Line at 775-267-9722. I also have been on the waters a lot this year so leave a message and I will return your call. Good Fishin and tight lines.